African Union Calls on Governments to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

What the report says

The African Union Commission and the Federation of African Journalists have called on African governments to do more to protect journalists and hold attackers accountable, according to a joint statement reported by Nile Post. The appeal was issued on November 2 to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

In the statement, the two organisations urged member states to investigate attacks on media workers, prosecute those responsible and provide remedies for victims. They said journalists across the continent continue to face killings, assaults, arrests, detention, disappearances, intimidation, legal pressure and online abuse. The groups also highlighted risks faced by women journalists, and by reporters covering elections, conflict, corruption and human rights issues.

The AU Commission and FAJ said impunity encourages further attacks and weakens public-interest reporting, access to information and democratic participation. They linked their call to the African Union’s broader Agenda 2063 goals and to protections for freedom of expression under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The statement also asked governments to strengthen national safety mechanisms, train law-enforcement agencies to respect media work, and address digital threats such as surveillance and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. It encouraged closer cooperation among governments, media groups, unions and civil society in designing and monitoring journalist-safety measures.